Overview

This bill seeks to completely repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824 and remove all consequential references to it in other legislation. The aim is to remove outdated and potentially discriminatory laws.

Description

The Vagrancy (Repeal) Bill aims to abolish the Vagrancy Act 1824. This Act, considered outdated and problematic, criminalized behaviors associated with homelessness and poverty. The bill repeals the 1824 Act entirely. It also removes all connected clauses and references to the 1824 Act in subsequent legislation. This includes amending sections within the Criminal Justice Act 1982, the Criminal Justice Act 1967, the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000, and the Mental Health Act 1983. These amendments ensure legal consistency following the removal of the original Vagrancy Act.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824 is primarily a legislative change, and doesn't directly involve allocation or reallocation of funds.

Groups Affected

The bill primarily impacts:

• People experiencing homelessness or poverty: The repeal removes a law that disproportionately affected vulnerable individuals.
• Law enforcement agencies: Police forces will no longer be able to use the Vagrancy Act 1824 for arrests or prosecutions.
• The legal system: Courts will no longer deal with cases based on the repealed Act.

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